Rabbitohs extend playing contracts of Junior Tatola and Ethan Lowe

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The South Sydney Rabbitohs are excited to announce the re-signing of young, International front row forward Junior Tatola and Premiership-winning second rower Ethan Lowe until at least the end of the 2021 season today.

Tatola, 22, has played 38 NRL games since making his first grade debut against the New Zealand Warriors in round one, 2018.

Tatola, who is Rabbitohs first grade player number 1141, is a former Australian Schoolboys representative who made his international debut in 2018 playing for Tonga against Samoa, and continued his international representation in last weekend’s Test match against New Zealand.

I’m really happy to be extending my time here at Souths. I love this Club

Junior TatolaRabbitohs Prop

Lowe, 28, joined the Rabbitohs in February of this year and has gone on to play in every game this year.

Lowe, who is Rabbitohs first grade player number 1145, has played 122 NRL games since making his debut in 2013, going on to play in two Grand Finals, winning one with the Cowboys in 2015. Lowe is on the radar of Queensland State of Origin selectors having been part of the Emerging Maroons Origin squad in 2016.

Tatola could not be happier about extending his time with South Sydney.

“I’m really happy to be extending my time here at Souths. I love this Club,” Tatola said.

“This Club gave me my opportunity in the NRL, an opportunity I’m really grateful for, and I want to repay the faith they have shown in me over the past couple of seasons.

“I love playing for the Members as well. They are so passionate and very vocal at games. They are always behind us and I can’t wait to play for them in the years to come.”

Everyone made me feel like part of the family here when I first came down and I’ve really appreciated it, so I couldn’t be happier to know I’ll be here for at least the next couple of years

Ethan LoweRabbitohs Second Rower

Lowe says he has made a home for himself at the Rabbitohs.

“I’m very happy to be re-signing with Souths. Everyone made me feel like part of the family here when I first came down and I’ve really appreciated it, so I couldn’t be happier to know I’ll be here for at least the next couple of years,” Lowe said.

“I’ve really been enjoying my footy here and enjoying being around this team so it was an easy decision to stay.

“I want to play good footy and do everything I can to help this side win games, and I want to help continue the culture of this great Club.”

Rabbitohs General Manager of Football, Shane Richardson, says Tatola’s and Lowe’s re-signings strengthen not only the Club’s forwards stocks, but it adds to the list of young talent committing to the Rabbitohs as well as building the Club’s experience levels in the playing ranks.

With senior players like Ethan guiding the next wave of Rabbitohs like Junior through the ranks, the future is bright for the Rabbitohs.

Shane RichardsonGeneral Manager of Football

“Junior has shown over the past two seasons that he has what it takes to play consistently well at the NRL level in the toughest position on the field,” Mr Richardson said.

“He has earned a position within our pack this year and we believe that, at just 22 years of age, his best football is still in front of him. He wants to learn and continue to improve which are traits that we look for in our players here at South Sydney.

“Junior is one of a number of players gaining first grade experience in our side who are 22 years of age or younger, along with players such as Cameron Murray, Campbell Graham, Adam Doueihi, Corey Allan, Braidon Burns, Connor Tracey and Mawene Hiroti.

“Ethan came to us late in the pre-season this year but he has slotted into our squad perfectly and he’s been a strong addition to our team.

“He has been strong on our edges and did a great job filling in at centre for a period of this season, showing his versatility.

“With senior players like Ethan guiding the next wave of Rabbitohs like Junior through the ranks, the future is bright for the Rabbitohs.”

Biographies:

Name:

Junior Tatola

Date of Birth:

11 October 1996

Place of Birth:

Sydney, NSW

Junior Club:

Holy Cross Rhinos

Position:

Prop

Height:

183cm

Weight:

114kg

Rep Honours:

Two Tests for Tonga (2018-19); Australian Schoolboys (2016)

NRL Games:

38 (all for the Rabbitohs)

NRL Points:

Four (from one try)

NRL and Club Debut:

Rabbitohs vs Warriors, Optus Stadium Perth, 10/3/18 (Rd 1)

Name:

Ethan Lowe

Date of Birth:

20 March 1991

Place of Birth:

Goondiwindi, QLD

Height:

194cm

Weight:

105kg

Position:

Second row

Junior Club:

Goondiwindi Boars

Rep Honours:

Queensland Emerging Origin squad (2016)

Previous Clubs:

Cowboys (2013-18)

Premierships:

One (Cowboys – 2015)

Grand Finals:

Two (Cowboys – 2015, 2017)

NRL Games:

122 (108 for the Cowboys; 14 for the Rabbitohs)

NRL Points:

222 (from 19 tries and 69 goals for the Cowboys; two tries for the Rabbitohs)